Transformer bracing structure



Nov. 17 1931. A. w. THOMPSON ET AL 1,332,671

TRANSFORMER BRACING' STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 20, 1930 A? ifupizmons A:

1/1" 0/27 5022 2& p

. ATTORN EY in and bracing structure.

Patented Nov. 17, 193i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR WILLIAM THOMPSON WALTER M; DANN, 01E SHARON, PENNSYLVANIA, .ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELEGTRIG AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A COR- PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA TRANSFORMER :BnAc Ne s'ratro'ruim Application filedoctob'er 20, 1930. Seria1'No.489,820.

Our invention relates to transformersand more particularly to a transformer Vith the steady increase in thesize of the transformers the problem of bracing the transformer in its tank has become greater.

During shipment of the tank, it is desirable to keep the core and windings of thetrans former stable and free from lateral motion The slightest collision of thetransformer andtank walls may cause serious damage to the walls or to the windings, and, if the collision isgreat enough, to bothth'e walls and wind-' ings. Upon reaching its destination, the

transformer must "be reassembled and straightened in its tank. This is-an added expense as it involves extra work and a waste of time and material.

With the increase in size of the trans-* former, the quantity of insulating'fiuid neces With sary for good operation increases.

' this increase in the insulating fluid the tank walls must be heavier to stand the strain exerted thereon by the fluid. As it is not desirable to increase the thickness of the walls because of the greater cost of'material, some suitable means of strengthening the walls must be devised.

Previously, power transformers wereas .seinbled in the following manner: The transformer was lowered into its tank. Entrance was, then made to the restricted space between the transformer and the tankwall. Working in this restricted space, permanent braces were lined up between the transformer and stricted space was again made and the bolts holdingthe braces'removed. Our invention elimlnates this excess ofwork 1n positioning or removing the transformer, and has the added advantage inthat our bracing auto-' matically engages with the wall of the tank with such strength and accuracy so asto centerwithstand the shocks received during ship-o ment. I

The generalobject of our invention is to improve the bracing of transformers in their 5 tank.- A further object of our invention is to is conveniently and economically constructed.

It is another object of our invention to strengthen the tank walls bymeansof the transformer bracing structure.

A more specific object of our invention is to provide a bracing structure that will strengthen the tank, eliminate horizontal movement of the transformer during shipment and thereby protect the windings of the transformer and the walls of the transformer tank from damage enroute. ln accordance with our invention we have provided a guiding and bracing structure comprising vertical members along the walls of the transformer tank and cooperating members attached to the transformer, engagmg therewith.

I The invention, together with additional obects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a'front elevational View par-- with the fcover removed;

Fig. 3 is a detail elevational View of the provide transformer bracing structure that brace andvertical member taken on the line III- -III of'Fig. I;

Fig. 4; is a detail plan view'of the brace and vertical member taken on the line- IVIV of Fig. 1. t Like reference characters indicate similar parts in the different figures of the drawings.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 comprises the transformer 1 and its leads 2 resting upon legs 8 which are guided into place by the beveled leg guards 4 suitably fastened to the tank 5. j The transformer 1 is horizontally braced by means of slotted braces 6 which are securely bolted to the upper portion of the transformer frame 7 by means of bolts 8. The braces 6 are so out as to form a tight fit over wide tapered portions 9 of cooperating vertical members 10. The vertical members 10 are secured to the walls 11 of the tank 5 by any suitable means and are so formed as to provide edges that act as guide bars for the braces 6.

Detail views of the assembly of the slotted braces 6 and the vertical members 10 may be seen in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Holes 12, for receiving the bolts 8, are drilled in the slotted braces 6 to suit the assembly.

The vertical members 10 are out on a slope.

extending from the top of the tank 5 down to the wide tapered portions 9, which portions are so located as to receive the slotted braces 6 at the point desired. Braces 13, extending at right angles to the vertical members 10 and fastened securely thereon in any suitable manner as by welding, are located directly below the wide tapered portions 9 of the said vertical members and project until engaged with the wall 11 of the tank 5. The braces 13 prevent horizontal distortion of the vertical members 10, due to stress induced therein by movement of the transformer 1. The braces 13 also strengthen the walls 11, to which they are attached in any suitable manner. From the braces 13, the vertical members 1O slope back to the walls 11 0f the tank 5 completing the fin like guide brace of the tank.

In assembling the apparatus, the transformer 1 is lowered into, the tank 5 by some suitable means so that the slots of the slotted braces 6 fit over the vertical members 10. As the transformer is lowered, the vertical members 1O guide it to its desired position at which position the slots of the slotted braces 6 form a tight fit over the tapered portions 9, thus automatically locking the transformer in its permanent position.

The vertical members 10 have a two-fold purpose in that they strengthen the walls 11 of the tank 5 and also act as guides in cen tering the transformer 1 for assembly and shipment. Any stress occurring, due to movement of the transformer 1 is transmitted through the bolts 8, the slotted braces 6, the wide tapered portion 9, and the vertical member 10 to the walls 11 of the tank 5, Where it is distributed over the entire tank.

It will be seen, therefore, that we have provided such a transformer bracing structure, that horizontal movement of the transformer will be negligible and that this result is accomplished by convenient and economical means. It will also be seen that the auxiliary bracing structure increases the strength of the walls of the transformer tank.

Although we have shown and described certain specific embodiments of our invention, we are fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. Our invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

lVe claim as our invention:

1. In a tank bracing structure for elec trical apparatus, a framework with an electrical apparatus thereon, an enclosing casing, slotted braces extending from said framework of said electrical apparatus, means for securing said slotted braces to said framework, braces systematically located on and extending from the walls of said enclosing casing, said braces engaging with said slotted braces.

2. In a tank structure for electrical apparatus, a framework with an electrical apparatus thereon, an enclosing casing, slotted braces extending from said framework, means for securing said slotted braces to said framework, vertical braces systematically located on and extending from the walls of said enclosing casing, means for securing said vertical braces to said enclosing casing, said vertical braces engaging said slotted braces.

3. In a tank structure for electrical apparatus, a framework with an electrical apparatus thereon, an enclosing casing, slotted braces systematically located on andextending from said framework, means for securing said slotted braces to said framework, vertical braces located to engage with said slotted braces, said vertical braces extending from the walls of said enclosing casing, and means for securing said vertical braces to said enclosing casing.

4. In a tank structure for electrical apparatus, a framework with an electrical apparatus thereon, an enclosing casing, slotted races systematically located on and extending from said framework, means for securing said slotted braces to said framework, vertical braces located to engage with said slotted braces, and extending from the walls of said enclosing casing, said vertical braces comprising a tapered portion which the said slotted braces are cut to fit, and means for securing said vertical braces to said enclosing casing.

5. In a bracing structure for electrical apparatus, a framework with an electrical apparatus thereon, an enclosing casing, slotted braces systematically located on and extending from said framework, means for securing said slotted braces to said framework, vertical braces extending along and secured to the walls of said enclosing casin said as vertical braces possessing a tapered portion which fits into the said slotted braces, hori- 1 zontal braces at right angles to and directly below said tapered portion of said vertical braces, said horizontal braces extending to the walls of said enclosing casing, and means for sc'iii'ing said BOfiz'ohtai Braces between said vertical braces and said walls.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names this 11th day of October, 1930.

ARTHUR WILLIAM THOMPSON. WALTER M. DANN. 

